Boiler-cleaner.



No. 846,051. 7 PATENTED MAR. 5,1907.

J. A. RAY.

BOILER CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1903. RENEWED AUG. 9, 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application filed May 20,1903. Renewed August 9,1906. Serial No. 329,917.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that 1, JAMES A. RAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and btate of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Water-Purihers and Boiler-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

The deposition of sediment in steam-boilers and the-accumulation of scale, incrustation, and like matter on the Walls and tubes thereof add materially to the running eX- pense and maintenance of this essential adjunct of steam-engines.

This invention obviates the many ills and objectionable features attributable directly or remotely to the above-noted causes by removing the impurities from the water both by precipitation and neutralization, the latter effect being accomplished by the addition of one or more chemical reagents to the water in circulation exterior to and separate from the boiler, the precipitation of the solid matter taking place in a drum outside of but communicating with the boiler for circulation therethrough of the water. a

An essential feature of the invention is to equalize the temperature of the water as nearly as practicable and so combine the arts that the mud and sediment accumuating upon the crown-sheet of the boilerfurnace may be drawn off through the drum when blowing off same to remove accumulations.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction, and combinations of parts which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated, and finally claimed.

In the drawings hereto attached and forming a part of the specification, Figure l is a longitudinal section of a steamboiler equipped with a water-purifier and cleaner embodying the essential features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the invention on a larger scale, the mud-drum and tank for containing the chemical reagents being in section. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the tank for receiving the chemicals, a portion being broken away.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The invention is adapted to be applied to any type of boiler or steamgenerator and is adapted to be located in the most advantageous position as regards space and surroundings.

The invention comprises, essentially, tank 1 and mud-drum 2 the latter being a receptacle of any design and structure and of a size depending upon the capacity of the boiler or generator for which the purifier and cleaner is designed. Tank 1 and mud-drum 2 are arranged the one above the other, whereby the chemical reagents may be fed by gravity or by pressure to the separator or water in circulation therethrough.

' In disposing the parts the tank 1 is located about opposite to the steam-space 3 of the boiler and wholly above the water-line 4. Drum 2 is disposed opposite the water-space 5 of the boiler and below the water-line thereof and entirely above the lowermost point of the boiler, so as to insure positive circulation of the water. Pipe 6 connects the upper portion of drum 2 with the upper portion of steam-space 3 and is provided with valve 7. Pipe 8 connects drum 2 with the lower portion of the boiler and is provided with valve 9. Pipe 8 is provided with vertical branch 10, which extends within the drum 2 upward through the bottom thereof and terminates a short distance from the upper end of the drum. The horizontal portion of pipe 8 terminates at a point directly above the crownsheet 11 of the fire-box orfurnace for apurpose presently to be explained. A series of comparatively small openings 12 are provided in the lower side of the portion of pipe 8, extending within boiler 13 so as to supply Water at different points in the length of the boiler. By having openings 12 extend downward any mud or other accumulation upon the bottom of the boiler is agitated and stirred, so as to pass OH with the Water in its circulation through the drum, thereby afl'ording opportunity for precipitation of the solid matter or impurity within receptacle 2.

It is a well-known fact that the part of the boiler directly above the furnace or fire-box is the hottest. Hence there is a tendency for mud and sediment to accumulate at this point, which is commonly designated as the crown-sheet of the furnace. By admitting the water from the drum into the boiler over the crown-sheet, as is done by pipe 8, in the manner stated the temperature of the water is equalized and opportunity afforded for drawing off any accumulation which is present in a manner presently to be explained.

valved connection 22 with pipe 6, and valved Pipe 14 connects with pipes 15 and 16 and is provided with controllingwalve 17 Pipe 16 extends into drum 2 and passes through the head or upper end thereof and terminates in later al extension 18 for directing the water against the side of the drum, so as not to disturb the sediment or precipitate accumulated in the bottom of the drum. Pipe 15 is connected with pipe 14 by a ball or universal joint 19 within boiler 13 to admit of free movement of pipe 15 in all directions. Pipe 14 may connect with boiler 13 at any point; but it is preferred to locate the connection a short distance below the lowest water-level, so as to enable the receiving end of pipe 15 to always occupy a predetermined distance from the level of the water at any elevation. The receiving end of pipe 15 curves upward and is connected to float 20 and is arranged to occupy a distance of about two inches below the surface of the level of the water. Float 2O rises and falls with the level of the water and maintains receiving end of pipe 15 at a uniform distance from said level, which is essential to a successful operation of the inven tion.

Tank 1 may consist of a single compartment or a plurality of compartments, according to the nature of the water to be purified. A perforated pipe 21 extends vertically through tank 1 and is located central therein and may be of any construction, the purpose being to provide a central space from which steam may find its way to every point of the tank by passing through openings or meshes of pipe 21. The upper end of pipe 21 has connection 23 is interposed between the lower end of pipe 21 and the length of pipes 14 and 16. in the preferable construction tank 1 is subdivided by vertical and radial projections 24 into a series of upright compartments 25, which are grouped around} central perforated pipe 21, each compartment 25 being adapted to receive a chemical reagent. A valved pipe or connection 26 connects each of the compartments 25 with pipes 14 and 16, thereby admitting of chemicals from one or more of the compartments being admitted in regulable quantity to the water in its circulation through the drum, so as to insure neutralization of the constitucuts or elements held in solution in said water and effect precipitation thereof in the drum, whereby the water in its return to the boiler is purified. The several compartments of tank 1 are adapted to be supplied with the chemical reagents through cap or valve controlled openings 27, applied to the head or upper end of the tank. 111 the event of the chemical reagent being a liquid or a solid or crystal ca able of being dissolved the level of the so ution within the tank or any compartment thereof is ascertained by being understood that each compartment is provided with a gage, as 28, which may be of any make or design.

A boiler or steam-generator provided with a purifier or cleaner embodying the essential features of the invention will be free from incrustation, scale, and like accumulations depositing upon the tubes and sides, thereby producing a saving of fuel and greatly diminishing the cost incident to repairs and the time consumed in shutting down a boiler for cleaning same. In the practical application of the invention the water from the boiler or generator passes therefrom through pipe 15 and thence into drum 2 through pipes 14 and 16 and returns to the boiler through pipe 8. The water is admitted into drum 2 at a low level and passes out therefrom at a high level, thereby offering opportunity for impurities to precipitate. In the event of it being required to add one or more chemicals to the water for neutralization of any mineral or other solid matter contained in solution therein the valve of one or more connections 26 is opened to a greater or less extent to admit the chemical into the water in circulation in proper quantity, which may be determined by experiment or other manner. When it becomes necessary to clean drum 2, valves 22 and 29 are closed, the latter valve being in the length of pipe 16 at a point between drum 2 and the jointure of pipe 16 with pipe 14. Valve 7 is opened, as is also valve 30 on blow-off pipe 31, connected with the bottom of drum 2. The steam from the boiler or generator enteringdrum 2 forces all precipitate therefrom through pipe 31. After the drum has been emptied valve 9, which has been previously closed, may be opened, with the result that the water from the lower portion of the boiler will rush into drum 2 through pipe 8 and fill said drum and carry along with it all mud and accumulation that may have col-- lected upon the bottom of the boiler, and particular] y upon the crown-sheet of the furnace. When valves 23 and 26 are closed and valve 22 is opened, the steam entering tank 1 through the openings or meshes of pipe 21 will condense and the water of condensation will dissolve the chemical reagents in the event of same being of a soluble nature.

When the precipitate is very light and about ten per cent. heavier than water and to prevent it being disturbed and carried from the separator back into the boiler through the return-pipe, the vertical branch 10 is enveloped by a guard 32, of fine-meshed material, such as wire-gauze, through the meshes of which the water will pass without carrying along with it any of the sediment.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a water-purifier and boiler-cleaner, the combination, of a drum, valved pipes con- 6 5 gage 28, applied to the side of the tank, it neoting said drum with the water-space of the boiler to effect circulation of the water from the boiler through the drum, a pipe connected with the upper portion of the boiler extending into the drum to any point, but preferably within a short distance of the center thereof and terminating in a lateral extension located in said drum, and a pipe connected with the lower portion of the boiler extending upward into the drum to within a short distance of the top thereof, substantially as set forth.

2. In an automaticwater purifier and boiler-cleaner, the combination, of a drum, valved connections between the upper and lower portions of said drum and the upper and lower portions of the water-space of the boiler or steam-generator to which the attachment may be fitted, a tank located above the drum and adapted to contain a chemical reagent, a valve connection between the upper portion of said tank and the steam-space of the boiler, and a valve connection between said tank and the pipe connecting the upper portion of the drum with the up er portion of the boiler, substantially as set f brth.

3. In an automatic Waterpurifier and boiler-cleaner, the combination, of a drum, valved connections between the upper and lower portions of the drum and corresponding members of the water-space of the boiler, a tank located above the drum and adapted to contain a chemical reagent, a perforated pipe extended through said tank, a valved connection between the upper end of said perforated pipe and the steam-space of the boiler, and a valved connection between the lower end of said perforated pipe and the connection between the upper portions of the drum and water-space of the boiler, substanti ally as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. RAY. Witnesses:

C. P. J. BRYANT, ELSIE EvERsHED. 

